by Dee Davis
It certainly hadn’t come about because his father had helped him in his endeavors. Hell, he’d done everything but refuse to pay for law school. He’d expected his oldest son to take over the Double J. Nevermind that his youngest son had clearly always been the one for the job.
“No one is saying your success isn’t your own,” Sebastian soothed. “But I think you can be something more. If you want it that is.”
“And so you want me to be mayor?”
“What I want is for you to be lieutenant governor. But in order for that to happen, you need political experience.”
“Lieutenant governor?” Tate almost spit out the bourbon he’d just swallowed. “What the fuck are you talking about?”
“The party wants Sebastian to run for governor.” His father sat back, waiting for understanding.
Tate shook his head, turning to look at Sebastian. “But you’re in the middle of running for reelection for senator.”
“All part of the process,” Sebastian said. “And unless something catastrophic happens, I’m pretty sure I’m going to win. Which means that once the new term is completed, I’ll have the experience necessary to make a bid for the governorship. And I’ll need a right-hand man. Someone I can count on.”
“Me.”
“Exactly,” Zeke said. “Sebastian needs someone up and coming. Someone who can pull in new voters.”
“And you think I can do that?” Tate couldn’t say he didn’t find the idea appealing. Somewhere in the back of his mind he’d always thought he’d like to give politics a try, but he’d never told anyone. Not even Hannah. Hell, especially not Hannah. She wasn’t the kind of woman who relished the spotlight.
“With a little prep work, I think you’d be the perfect candidate,” Sebastian was saying.
“Hence the push for me to run for mayor,” Tate replied.
It made sense, actually. He’d graduated at the top of his class. Both undergrad and law school. And he’d made partner after only three years at the firm he’d worked for in Austin. He’d only come back to Storm when Robert Grossman had approached him about taking over his practice when the old man retired. Hannah’s father had garnered some pretty wealthy clients over the years. And under his tutelage, Tate had only managed to add to that. He’d represented a wide variety of folks across central Texas. Most of them with influence and power. And, as Sebastian had alluded, Tate had won more than he’d lost, which meant that he’d developed a reputation as someone who could be counted on when the chips were down.
“Look,” Sebastian said, “I know that you’re riding high at the moment. Things are going really well for you. Which is why I think it’s the time to reach for something bigger. I think you have a future in Texas government. And I’d like nothing better than seeing you by my side. So at least think about it. Your dad’s term isn’t up until next fall. So there’s time to make a decision. You wouldn’t have to declare until the spring.”
“And if I do, you’re serious about my running for lieutenant governor?” The idea was growing on him. Sebastian was right. It was a step toward something bigger. Something beyond Storm.
“I am.”
“And you think this is a good idea?” The thought that his father would support anything that pulled him away from Storm was difficult to swallow. The old man had been the first in line to try and convince him to come home.
“I think it’s an opportunity you can’t afford to pass up.” Zeke lifted his hands in a gesture of grudging acceptance. “As much as I want to keep you close, your mother keeps reminding me that I need to set you free. If this is something you want, then you have my complete support. I think you’d make a good mayor. And even more so, a hell of a lieutenant governor.”
“Of course, first off, we both have to win our elections.” Sebastian smiled, pushing to his feet. “And to that end, I’d best be getting back to it.”
Zeke finished his drink and pushed to his feet, extending a hand to Sebastian. “Always a pleasure doing business with you, son.”
Tate hid a grin, wondering how long it had been since someone called the elegant senator “son.”
“Same here, Zeke.” Sebastian lips lifted in a megawatt smile––his signature as a politician. “And I look forward to working with your son.” He turned to shake hands with Tate. “You in?”
And just like that, Tate made up his mind. “Absolutely. Whatever it takes. I’m in.”
“Great.” The senator exchanged a self-satisfied glance with his father. “I think the two of us can accomplish great things together.”
“Believe me,” Tate said, his mind already moving toward the future. “I’m going to hold you to that.”
CHAPTER 2
“Okay, I’m here,” Mallory Alvarez said as she slid into the booth in the back of the Bluebonnet. “What’s so important?”
“Maybe I just want to see my baby sister?” Dakota gave Mallory her most disarming smile. Not that she was sure it worked anymore. At least it hadn’t done her much good with the senator.
“Yeah, and I’ve got some land in Louisiana…” Mallory trailed off as Rita Mae strolled up, order pad in hand.
“What can I get you girls?”
Mallory handed her the menu. “Fries for me.”
“I’ll have the Cobb salad.” Dakota actually wanted the fries. Double order at that. But even under the circumstances she was determined to watch what she ate. Maybe if she looked a little bit hotter she could win Sebastian back. And then again, maybe Monarch Lake would freeze over in the middle of August. “And a Diet Coke.”
“So what’s up?” Mallory asked again as Rita Mae walked away.
“I heard about you and Luis and the—” She waved her hand through the air. “—incident.”
Mallory turned a dark shade of red and bent her head, studying her nails. “Does everyone know?”
“I don’t think so. Mom told me. She thought maybe I could help.”
“Now there’s the pot calling the kettle black.”
Dakota frowned. “I care about you, Mal. And despite the fact that you managed to muck the whole thing up, I was the one who suggested you take matters in your own hands, so to speak.”
“That seems to have been precisely the problem.” She shuddered delicately. “Anyway, it’s not as bad as it could be. Mom convinced Marcus it would be okay for me to see Luis. As long as we have a chaperone.”
“That’s pretty Victorian.”
“Yeah, but it beats St. Anne’s.”
“I’m not following.”
“Marcus wanted to send me away to St. Anne’s. It’s a Catholic School—in McAllen.”
“Shit. That would have been bad. I’m surprised Mom had the guts to stand up to him.”
“You never have given her enough credit.” Mallory sat back as Rita Mae set a plate of fries in front of her, followed by Dakota’s salad and Diet Coke.
Dakota reached over for a fry. “I call it the way I see it. But I’m glad she got Marcus to back down. What about Marisol? How’s she handling the whole thing?”
“She still hasn’t looked me in the eyes. It really wasn’t a pretty picture. I’m afraid I didn’t think the whole thing through.”
“Well, I’m impressed you tried at all. I wasn’t sure you had it in you.”
Mallory grimaced. “It wasn’t exactly flowers and roses. More like slapstick comedy. But in a weird way, it’s drawn Luis and me closer.”
“Bonded through adversity?”
“Something like that.”
“So what did Ginny have to say?” Dakota picked at her salad, waiting for the moment to introduce the topic she really wanted to discuss.
“Haven’t really seen her. Seems these days she’s mostly with the Salts or Logan Murphy. Not that she would have talked to me anyway. I get the feeling she’s too wrapped up in the baby to care that much about what Luis and I are up to.”
“Speaking of the baby,” Dakota prodded, “what did you mean the other day when you said that Celes
te thought it was a miracle?”
“Just that.” Mallory shrugged, popping another fry in her mouth.
“Can you elaborate?” Dakota tried but failed to keep the exasperation from her voice.
“Why do you care?” Mallory tipped her head, her eyes narrowing.
“I don’t. Not really. I just wondered what the deal was.” She reached over for another of her sister’s fries. Surely two weren’t going to do her in.
“Well, apparently Jacob had some kind of accident when he was a kid. And the result was that he couldn’t have kids. Or at least that’s what the doctor said.”
Dakota frowned. “I remember he had a really bad fall. From the top of a tree or something. Must have been then. But if he can’t have kids, then…”
“That’s what makes it a miracle,” Mallory said. “Luis said he overheard Francine and Payton talking about it. I mean, Ginny wouldn’t have any reason to lie about something like that.” A shadow chased across Mallory’s face.
“But you don’t actually believe that.”
“I don’t have any reason to doubt it. Except that Luis thought she had a secret.”
“Like that she was screwing Jacob Salt?” Dakota smirked.
“Luis thought it was something bigger than that.” Mallory shook her head. “Never mind, I’m just speculating and the truth is I shouldn’t have told you at all. I mean, it’s not like it’s any of our business.”
Except that Ginny Moreno had everything Dakota had ever wanted.
“You’re right. What do we care what Ginny was up to? It’s not like she’s our sister or anything.”
“True. But she’s Luis’s sister. So I guess that means I do need to care. And as I said before, she’s nice.”
“Or at least she appears that way.”
“What do you mean?” Mallory asked, her brows drawing together as she studied Dakota.
“Nothing.” Dakota waved her hand through the air in dismissal. “I didn’t come here to talk about Ginny Moreno. I came to see how you were. I wanted to be sure you were okay. And that everything with Luis hadn’t been derailed.”
“Well, as I said, things with Luis are awkward but fine. So how are things with you?”
“Good. Nothing new to report.”
“What about the earrings?” Mallory raised her eyebrows and nodded toward the diamonds in Dakota’s ears.
She’d wanted to throw them away. Rip them from her ears and toss them in the lake or something. But then common sense had surfaced. The earrings were worth a small fortune. And they looked fabulous in her ears. Best not to cut her nose off and all that.
There’d be other ways to get back at Sebastian.
“Got them on sale. I know I shouldn’t have spent the money. But aren’t they fabulous?”
“Stunning is more like it. Has Mom seen them?”
“Like I give a crap what she has to say.” Dakota tossed back her hair and smiled at her sister.
Truth was she didn’t give a crap about any of them. Not her mother. Not Sebastian and not Ginny fucking Moreno. And now, thanks to her little sister and the senator’s big mouth, she just might have the ammunition she needed to make them pay.
* * * *
Hannah let herself into her house with a sigh. It had been a long day. Abraham Kestler’s best heifer had a prolapsed uterus and Hedda Garten’s beagle, Rufus, had needed to be put down. It had been a long time coming, so not unexpected, but the old lady had cried as if she’d lost her next of kin. Which in some ways maybe she had.
Animals were more loving than people. They didn’t stab you in the back. Or ditch you for making bad decisions. They were there no matter what, giving undying love and devotion. Honestly, Hannah had shed a few tears herself. Rufus had been one of her very first patients.
“Anybody home?” she called out to the clatter of nails on the parquet floor and a squeaky meow from the vicinity of the kitchen. Two dogs hurtled toward her, jumping up in their excitement to see her.
“Hey there, boys.” She leaned down to caress silky heads and floppy ears. Digger, a dachshund, with a propensity for landscaping that his previous owners hadn’t appreciated and Pooh, a corgi, named for Hannah’s cherished childhood hero, were just two of Hannah’s latest brood of six.
She walked through the living room toward the kitchen, dogs yapping at her feet. Astaire, a golden-hued tabby, sat on top of a bookshelf, his gymnastic ability always entertaining. Engine huddled in the corner of the sofa between two cushions. Found curled beneath the hood of a car when she was just a kitten, Engine had a fondness for small places. At the doorway leading to the kitchen, Molly stood scowling. The oldest of Hannah’s charges, she was as cantankerous as any old lady but also had a heart of gold.
“I know, I’m late,” she called to the room in general as she moved into the kitchen to fill the long row of food bowls. Tate was always on her for adopting too many animals. But as far as she was concerned it could never be enough. Not as long as there was someone out there who needed her.
Speaking of needing someone, Hannah paused with a frown, cat food in hand. “Fred?” She waited a moment for some sign of the terrier mix. Fred was her latest acquisition. Fred had been found tied to a tree, nearly starving, and Hannah’s heart had belonged to the little guy the moment she’d laid eyes on him. “Fred? Sweetie? Where are you?”
Despite the abuse, Fred had seemed to adapt to life at Hannah’s without question, accepting both her and the other animals with no hesitation. Fortunately, his zest for life hadn’t been dimmed by mistreatment.
“Fred?” She strode back into the living room, and then to the extra bedroom, and finally to her room. No dog. A niggle of worry made its way down her spine. Moving back into the kitchen, she checked the back door. It was slightly ajar.
“Fred?” she called again, looking out across the backyard, her heart starting to flutter with concern. He was just a pup. And not particularly a strong one at that.
“Hannah?” Tate called from behind her, and she spun around, her mind still on her missing dog. “Can you call off the damn dogs?”
Shaking her head, she cleared her thoughts and whistled for the boys. Despite having been raised on a ranch, Tate wasn’t comfortable with animals. And although he made an effort for her, she knew her menagerie often overwhelmed him.
“Sorry about that,” she said, lifting her cheek for his kiss. “I was trying to find Fred.”
“The new one?” Tate shook his head. “I don’t see how you can keep up. But anyway, I’ve got news.”
“Can it wait?” she asked, already heading back to the kitchen. “I’m worried about Fred. I think maybe he got out the back.”
“I’m sure he hasn’t gone far. And my news is important.”
Hannah swallowed a surge of irritation. Tate deserved her attention. “You can tell me while I check the backyard.”
“Fine,” he said, slipping out of his jacket and folding it carefully on the chair. Molly walked over and gave it a tap. Tate pushed her away with his foot. “Paws off, cat.” With a last look he followed Hannah into the backyard. “The last time I was over here, she must have rolled on my coat. It was literally covered with hair. I don’t see how you stand it.”
“I guess I don’t notice it. I mean, basically I’m always covered in something. And, quite frankly, hair is the least of my concerns.” She called for the dog again, searching the area for signs of movement. “So what’s the news? How are things going with the case in Marble Falls?”
“Could be better. I had to cut the deposition short. My dad and Sebastian Rush wanted to meet with me.”
“Oh?” She frowned, still searching for signs of her recalcitrant dog.
“Yeah. They want me to run for mayor. And eventually lieutenant governor.”
“Of Texas?” Hannah asked, the words out before she could stop them.
“No, of Bolivia. Of course of Texas. The party wants Sebastian to run for governor eventually, and they apparently want me to run for the LG
.”
“And the mayorship is sort of a trial run?”
“Establishing credentials is the way they put it. But yeah, that’s essentially the idea.”
“But I thought you were happy with your practice?” Hannah wanted to be pleased for Tate, but the idea of him taking on that kind of political aspiration meant huge changes for them and for their relationship.
“I am. But this would be a step up. Hell, it would be a huge step up.”
“Eventually. I mean, it’s a lot of what ifs.”
“True. But with the senator’s support, not to mention the party, it’s not as much of a risk. Sebastian’s reelection is practically in the bag. And with my father stepping down and supporting me as the replacement for mayor, that should be pretty much a slam dunk as well. So all that remains is the governorship, and I can’t imagine that Sebastian—and, by association, me—wouldn’t have a fairly good shot at winning.”
“So you told them yes?” She sucked in a breath, fighting to maintain control.
“Of course I did. Like I said, it’s an amazing opportunity.”
For you. She held her tongue, keeping the thought to herself. She hated that she was feeling so petty. She ought to be delighted. Ought to want what was best for Tate. But all she could think about was what it meant for her life. A life she had no interest in changing.
“Think of all the things we could accomplish together in Austin,” he said, wrapping his arms around her waist.
She leaned into him, wondering if he was speaking of her or the senator when he said “we.” “I think you’d be a wonderful lieutenant governor,” she whispered. “And a great mayor. But right now I need to find my dog.” She pulled free, ignoring Tate’s frown.
“But we’ve been invited over to the Rush’s for cocktails. There are going to be a lot of important people there. I came straight from the meeting to get you. We’re already running late.”
“Tate, I know how important this is to you. But my animals are important to me. And right now Fred is out there somewhere on his own. He’s just a baby. And what he’s seen of life hasn’t been too good so far. So I need to find him.”